political ads

As 2014 midterm election kicks off, there are 20 percent more positive political TV ads than during the cycle two years ago. To understand the slight shift away from mudslinging, Judy Woodruff talks with ad-maker and consultant John Brabender and John Geer of Vanderbilt University. Continue reading →

Political advertisers now have unprecedented access to online browsing data, and the presidential campaigns are using gathered information to slice and dice the electorate and engage with voters on issues that are most relevant to their lives. Hari Sreenivasan reports in collaboration with Frontline, Marketplace and Pro Publica. Continue reading →

With a tight presidential race, growing Hispanic populations in key swing states — Colorado, Nevada, Florida and Virginia — could provide the margin of victory. Ray Suarez reports on the campaigns’ efforts, including spanish-language ads, appearances on Univision, and more, to capture Hispanic votes that are up for grabs. Continue reading →

Judy Woodruff reports on the candidates’ preparation for what many expect to be a high stakes presidential debate in Hempstead, N.Y., while Ray Suarez and NPR’s Peter Overby examine how September campaign ad spending has been boosted by hundreds of thousands of television commercials funded by Super PACs. Continue reading →

Political ad spending has doubled overall, but in critical battleground states the numbers are more drastic. In 2008, 519 presidential campaign ads aired in Colorado Springs, Colo. Four years later, the number has jumped to 1,445. Gwen Ifill talks to NPR’s Ari Shapiro about the blitz of campaign ads in a Republican leaning city. Continue reading →

Pushing closer to the Iowa Caucuses, GOP presidential candidates and the outside groups supporting them are pouring money into TV and radio ads — spending more than $10 million in December alone. Judy Woodruff and Ken Goldstein of the Campaign Media Analysis Group discuss the potential outcome of all this spending. Continue reading →

Third-party groups on both sides of the political aisle are spending big on advertising this fall – but not at the same rate. Judy Woodruff talks with Evan Tracey, founder of the Campaign Media Analysis Group, for details. Continue reading →